The President (right) and Australia''s Prime Minister Rudd preside over a round-table meeting on Sep. 22.

The President said at the UN Summit on Climate Change on Sep. 22 (New York time) that less developed countries should try to reduce greenhouse gas emissions voluntarily and that advanced countries should encourage such efforts.

The president said this at a morning roundtable session, over which he and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd jointly presided. At the table were present the leaders of 26 countries including China, Iran, Czech Republic, Hungary and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Leaders from about 190 countries gathered in New York to attend the UN climate change conference, and a total of 8 round-table discussions took place, each of which was attended by 25 leaders throughout the day.

At the morning meeting President Lee specifically suggested the establishment of "Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA)," which is aimed at developing countries'' voluntary reduction of greenhouse gases.

According to President Lee, the NAMA registry system will help iron out the different opinions as to greenhouse gas emissions between developing and developed countries. Developed countries contend that all countries should follow legally-binding regulations for the gas reduction while developing ones are opposed to such ideas.

The president also spoke of Korea''s earnest efforts to fight against climate change and to pursue green growth. He drew positive responses when he recommended a global partnership, in which advanced and developing countries will exchange environment-friendly technologies and related developmental plans.

Throughout the day-long conference, the world leaders shared their ideas on how to make a success out of the December climate change meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting aims to negotiate a treaty to replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.

At a dinner reception hosted by the UN Secretary General, President Lee emphasized the importance of green growth. Many think that greenhouse gas reduction may hamper a nation''s economic growth, but, Lee said, low-carbon technologies and eco-friendly industries will become efficient newer growth engines and mitigate such concerns.

Meanwhile, the President had a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper later in the day and exchanged ideas about developing Korean-Canadian ties, including ways to expedite the conclusion of an FTA deal.